Internal Control and Cash

Accounting Principles, 7 th Edition Weygandt Kieso Kimmel Chapter 8 Internal Control and Cash Prepared by Naomi Karolinski Monroe Community College and Marianne Bradford Bryant College John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2005

CHAPTER 8 INTERNAL CONTROL AND CASH After studying this chapter, you should be able to: 1 Define internal control. 2 Identify the principles of internal control. 3 Explain the applications of internal control principles to cash receipts. 4 Explain the applications of internal control principles to cash disbursements. 5 Describe the operation of a petty cash fund. 6 Indicate the control features of a bank account. 7 Prepare a bank reconciliation. 8 Explain the reporting of cash.

INTERNAL CONTROL STUDY OBJECTIVE 1 Internal Control 1. Safeguards an organization s assets 2. Enhances the accuracy and reliability of accounting records

PRINCIPLES OF INTERNAL CONTROL STUDY OBJECTIVE 2

PRINCIPLES OF INTERNAL CONTROL Establishment of responsibility: most effective when only one person is responsible for a given task Segregation of duties: the work of one employee should provide a reliable basis for evaluating the work of another employee Documentation procedures: documents provide evidence that transactions and events have occurred

PRINCIPLES OF INTERNAL CONTROL Physical, mechanical, and electronic controls: safeguarding of assets and enhancing accuracy and reliability of the accounting records. Independent internal verification: the review, comparison, and reconciliation of information from two sources. Other controls: bonding of employees who handle cash, rotating employee s duties, and requiring employees to take vacations.

PHYSICAL, MECHANICAL, AND ELECTRONIC CONTROLS Locked warehouses and storage cabinets for inventories and records Safes, vaults, and safety deposit boxes for cash and business papers Time clocks for recording time worked Computer facilities with pass key access Alarms to prevent break-ins Television monitors and garment sensors to deter theft

PHYSICAL, MECHANICAL, AND ELECTRONIC CONTROLS

INDEPENDENT INTERNAL VERIFICATION Maximum benefit Independent internal verification: 1 Made on periodic or surprise basis 2 Should be done by someone who is independent of the employee responsible for the information 3 Report discrepancies and exceptions to a management level that can take appropriate corrective action

COMPARISON OF SEGREGATION OF DUTIES PRINCIPLE WITH INDEPENDENT INTERNAL VERIFICATION PRINCIPLE

LIMITATIONS OF INTERNAL Costs of establishing control procedures should not exceed their expected benefits The human element is an important factor in every system of internal control. A good system can become ineffective through employee fatigue, carelessness, or indifference. Collusion may result. CONTROL Two or more individuals work together to get around prescribed controls and may significantly impair the effectiveness of a system.

CASH Cash Coins, currency, checks, money orders, and money on hand or on deposit at a bank or similar depository Internal control over cash is imperative Safeguards cash and assure the accuracy of the accounting records for cash

CONTROL OVER CASH Only designated personnel should be authorized to handle or have access to cash receipts. Different individuals should: 1 receive cash RECEIPTS STUDY OBJECTIVE 3 2 record cash receipt transactions 3 have custody of cash

CONTROL OVER CASH RECEIPTS Documents should include: 1 Remittance advices 2 Cash register tapes 3 Deposit slips Cash should be stored in safes and bank vaults Access to storage areas should be limited to authorized personnel Cash registers should be used in executing over-the-counter receipts

Internal control is used in a business to enhance the accuracy and reliability of its accounting records and to: a. safeguard its assets. b. prevent fraud. c. produce correct financial statements. d. deter employee dishonesty.

Internal control is used in a business to enhance the accuracy and reliability of its accounting records and to: a. safeguard its assets. b. prevent fraud. c. produce correct financial statements. d. deter employee dishonesty.

CONTROL OVER CASH RECEIPTS Daily cash counts and daily comparisons of total receipts. All personnel who handle cash receipts should be bonded and required to take vacations. Control of over-the-counter receipts is centered on cash registers that are visible to customers.

CONTROL OVER CASH DISBURSEMENTS STUDY OBJECTIVE 4 Payments are made by check rather than by cash, except for petty cash transactions. Only specified individuals should be authorized to sign checks. Different departments or individuals should be assigned the duties of approving an item for payment and paying it.

What does a check (cheque) look like?

CONTROL OVER CASH DISBURSEMENTS Prenumbered checks should be used and each check should be supported by an approved invoice or other document. Blank checks should be stored in a safe. 1 Access should be restricted to authorized personnel. 2 A check writer machine should be used to imprint the amount on the check in indelible ink.

CONTROL OVER CASH DISBURSEMENTS Each check should be compared with the approved invoice before it is issued. Following payment, the approved invoice should be stamped PAID.

VOUCHER SYSTEM The voucher system Is often used to enhance the internal control over cash disbursements. Is an extensive network of approvals by authorized individuals acting independently to ensure that all disbursements by check are proper. A voucher is an authorization form prepared for each expenditure. Vouchers are recorded in a journal called the voucher register.

ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER SYSTEM Checks processing is expensive New methods are being developed to transfer funds among parties without the use of paper Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) System A disbursement system that uses wire, telephone, telegraph, or computer to transfer cash from one location to another

PETTY CASH FUND STUDY OBJECTIVE 5 A petty cash fund is used to pay relatively small amounts Operation of the fund, often called an imprest system, involves: 1 Establishing the fund 2 Making payments from the fund 3 Replenishing the fund Accounting entries are required when: 1 The fund is established 2 The fund is replenished 3 The amount of the fund is changed

ESTABLISHING THE FUND Two essential steps in establishing a petty cash fund are: 1 appointing a petty cash custodian who will be responsible for the fund and 2 determining the size of the fund. Ordinarily, the amount is expected to cover anticipated disbursements for a 3 to 4 week period.

ESTABLISHING THE FUND GENERALJOURNAL Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit Mar. 1 Petty Cash 100 Cash 100 (To establish a petty cash fund) When the fund is established, a check payable to the petty cash custodian is issued for the stipulated amount.

REPLENISHING THE FUND When the money in the petty cash fund reaches a minimum level, the fund is replenished. The request for reimbursement is initiated by the petty cash custodian. The petty cash custodian prepares a schedule of the payments that have been made and sends the schedule, with supporting documentation, to the treasurer s office.

REPLENISHING THE FUND GENERAL JOURNAL Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit Mar. 15 Postage Expense 44 Freight-out 38 Miscellaneous Expense 5 Cash 87 (To replenish petty cash fund) On March 15 the petty cash custodian requests a check for $87. The fund contains $13 cash and petty cash receipts for postage, $44, freight-out, $38, and miscellaneous expenses, $5.

REPLENISHING THE FUND GENERAL JOURNAL Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit Mar. 15 Postage Expense 44 Freight-out 38 Miscellaneous Expense 5 Cash Over and Short 1 Cash 88 (To replenish petty cash fund) On March 15 the petty cash custodian requests a check for $88. The fund contains $12 cash and petty cash receipts for postage, $44, freight-out, $38, and miscellaneous expenses, $5.

USE OF A BANK STUDY OBJECTIVE 6 The use of a bank minimizes the amount of currency that must be kept on hand and contributes significantly to good internal control over cash. A company can safeguard its cash by using a bank as a depository and as a clearing house for checks received and checks written.

WRITING CHECKS A check is a written order signed by the depositor directing the bank to pay a specified sum of money to a designated recipient. Three parties to a check are: 1 Maker (drawer) issues the check 2 Bank (payer) on which check is drawn 3 Payee to whom check is payable

WRITING CHECKS

BANK STATEMENTS A bank statement shows: 1 Checks paid and other debits charged against the account 2 Deposits and other credits made to the account 3 Account balance after each day s transactions

MEMORANDA Bank debit memoranda Indicate charges against the depositor s account. Example: ATM service charges Bank credit memoranda Indicate amounts that will increase the depositor s account. Example: interest income on account balance

RECONCILING THE BANK ACCOUNT STUDY OBJECTIVE 7 Reconciliation Necessary as the balance per bank and balance per books are seldom in agreement due to time lags and errors. A bank reconciliation Should be prepared by an employee who has no other responsibilities pertaining to cash.

RECONCILING THE BANK ACCOUNT Steps in preparing a bank reconciliation: 1 Determine deposits in transit 2 Determine outstanding checks 3 Note any errors discovered 4 Trace bank memoranda to the records Each reconciling item used in determining the adjusted cash balance per books should be recorded by the depositor.

BANK RECONCILIATION

BANK RECONCILIATION W. A. LAIRD COMPANY Bank Reconciliation April 30, 2005 Cash balance per bank statement $ 15,907.45 Add: Deposits in transit The bank statement for 2,201.40 the Laird Company 18,108.85 Less: Outstanding checks shows a balance per No. 453 bank of $15,907.45 on $ 3,000.00 No. 457 1,401.30 April 30, 2005. No. 460 1,502.70 5,904.00 Adjusted cash balance per bank $ 12,204.85 Cash balance per books $ 11,589.45 Add: Collection of $1,000 note receivable plus interest earned $50, less collection fee $15 $ 1,035.00 Error in recording check 443 36.00 1,071.00 12,660.45 On this date the Less: NSF check 425.60 Bank service charge balance of cash per 30.00 455.60 books is $11,589.45. Adjusted cash balance per books $ 12,204.85

ENTRIES FROM BANK RECONCILIATION GENERAL JOURNAL Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit Apr. 30 Cash 1035 Miscellaneous Expense 15 Notes Receivable 1000 Interest Revenue 50 (To record collection of notes receivable by bank) Collection of Note Receivable: This entry involves four accounts. Interest of $50 has not been accrued and the collection fee is charged to Miscellaneous Expense.

ENTRIES FROM BANK RECONCILIATION GENERAL JOURNAL Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit Apr. 30 Cash Accounts Payable Andrea Company (To correct error in recording check No. 443) 36 36 Book Error: An examination of the cash disbursements journal shows that check No. 443 was a payment on account to Andrea Company, a supplier. The check, with a correct amount of $1,226.00, was recorded at $1,262.00.

ENTRIES FROM BANK RECONCILIATION GENERAL JOURNAL Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit Apr. 30 Accounts Receivable J. R. Baron Cash (To record NSF check) 425.60 425.60 NSF Check: An NSF check becomes an accounts receivable to the depositor.

ENTRIES FROM BANK RECONCILIATION GENERAL JOURNAL Date Account Titles and Explanation Debit Credit Apr. 30 Miscellaneous Expense 30 Cash (To record charge for printing 30 company checks) Bank Service Charges: Check printing charges (DM) and other bank service charges (SC) are debited to Miscellaneous Expense because they are usually nominal in amount.

REPORTING CASH STUDY OBJECTIVE 8 Cash reported on the Balance Sheet includes: 1 Cash on hand 2 Cash in banks 3 Petty cash Cash is listed first in the balance sheet under the title cash and cash equivalents because it is the most liquid asset.

CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash equivalents Are highly liquid investments that can be converted into a specific amount of cash Typically have maturities of 3 months or less when purchased Examples: Money market funds, bank certificates of deposit, and U.S. Treasury bills and notes

The statement that correctly describes the reporting of cash is: a. Cash cannot be combined with cash equivelants b. Restricted cash funds may be combined with Cash. c. Cash is listed first in the current assets. d. Restricted cash funds cannot be reported as a current asset.

The statement that correctly describes the reporting of cash is: a. Cash cannot be combined with cash equivelants. b. Restricted cash funds may be combined with Cash. c. Cash is listed first in the current assets. d. Restricted cash funds cannot be reported as a current asset.

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